Weight aligned grapple

ABSTRACT

A grappling device which includes a powered, rotatable grapple for grasping elongated objects. The grapple is normally attached by a support to a logging vehicle such as a skidder. The support is a movably-mounted boom which is controlled by a pair of hydraulic cylinders for effecting vertical and sidewise movement of the boom. The grapple comprises a weight-actuated cam as a rotative positioning means for self-alignment of a pair of coacting powered grapple jaws, an elongated bridge connecting said grapple jaws whereby generally uniform pressures are exerted upon grasped objects.

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 Blonsky 154] WEIGHT-ALIGNED GRAPPLE [75] Inventor:Joseph E. Blonsky, Atlanta, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Westvaco Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 883,653

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 703,155, Feb.5, 1968,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. ..212/44, 212/35, 294/88, 294/106, 214/138 [51] Int. Cl..B66c 1/12 [58] Field of Search ..294/88,106,110,112,118, 294/82;212/35, 55; 214/147, 147 G [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS423,548 3/1890 Boyer ..294/111 2,639,048 5/1953 Glashaw... 2,672,2303/1954 Jetzke ..294/82 2,672,364 3/1954 Ragland ..294/82 2,708,9995/1955 2,755,946 7/1956 2,829,787 4/1958 Kalaus 212/35 3,011,651 12/1961Mclntyre.. ..212/55 3,371,952 3/1968 Hunger.... .294/88 3,384,409 5/1968Guinot ..294/106 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 996,785 6/1965 GreatBritain ..294/88 Primary Examinerl-1arvey C. Hornsby Attorney-Ernest B.Lipscomb and Richard L. Schmalz ABSTRACT 8 Claims, 8 Drawing FiguresPATENTEUMARZYIQYS SHEET 1 [1F 4 I NVENTOR Joseph E. BlonskyPATENTEUHARZYIQYS SHEET 30F 4 INVENTOR Joseph E. B/onsky AGE/VTPATENTEDHAR27 I973 SHEET LL 0F 4 INVENTOR Joseph E. B/ons/ry BY 0% MAGE/VT WEIGHT-ALIGNED GRAPPLE This application is a continuation ofco-pending ap plication Ser. No. 703,155, filed Feb. 5, 1968 and nowabandoned for Weight-Aligned Grappling Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to load-handlingdevices. More specifically, this invention relates to grapple devicesfor grasping and handling of elongated objects such as logs and felledtrees.

Grappling devices are particularly successful for grasping, aligning andskidding felled trees, for handling pulpwood as bundles of short logsand for moving other elongated objects such as pipes, rails and poles.Grappling devices generally comprise a grapple having at least twoopposed jaws, at least one of which is pivotably from one end, whichgrasp an object and compress it from opposite sides whereby the objectis held securely.

Examples of grapple devices which are adapted for handling elongatedobjects are described in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,079,020,3,089,726, 3,235,108, 3,275,173 and 3,362,550.

Many commercial grappling devices are used for handling pulpwood. Somegrapples are cable operated and descend vertically upon a load,generally at the end of a movable boom. Others are hydraulically poweredand are attached to the end of an articulated boom whereby the jaws ofthe grapple may be inserted into a load of logs at a desired angle.Grapples frequently must grasp the holes of singly felled trees andbring the trees into alignment with the holes of other felled trees andthus function well if mounted at the end of a boom. Many commercialgrapples are mounted on the end of an articulated boom or A-framesupport which is attached to a motor-powered vehicle such as a skidder.However, after a load of trees has been grasped by a skidder-mounted,boom-attached grapple the boom becomes a hindrance and is susceptible todamage during the skidding trip to a loading site. During the returntrip while empty, the boom and grapple tend to swing and sway, wherebyjoints are worn excessively.

When an A-frame supported grapple of the prior art is used fortransporting felled trees, the grapple is difficult to move sidewise andto rotate selectively into grasping position and difficult to control asto rotational position during skidding. Suspended attachment of thegrapple to the apex of the A-frame, as by cables, enables the grapple toadapt readily to alignment of the boles but causes difficulties withpenetration of grapple jaws beneath the holes. Hydraulic means forcontrolling rotation of the grapple are expensive, susceptible todamage, and difficult to control.

It is an object of this invention to provide a grapple device of simpledesign which includes a powered grapple having rotational capabilitywhile empty, whereby the jaws may readily adapt to the position of aload, and a weight-actuated biasing means for self-alignment of thegrapple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a grapple device whichincludes a powered grapple having improved ground-penetration means forgrasping elongated objects, such as felled trees, which have becomepartially embedded in the ground.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a grapple devicehaving improved attachment means for mounting upon the rear of askidder.

It is an additional object to provide a grapple device having a supportmeans for the powered grapple which imparts limited capability forsidewise movement, whereby the grapple may engage a load withoutexcessive manipulation of the skidder.

Further objects, features and advantages of this invention becomeapparent from the following disclosure when read in conjunction with thedrawings.

I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention which fulfills theseobjectives comprises a grapple support means and a powered, rotatablegrapple, having a biasing means for self alignment thereof, which isrigidly attached to the support means.

A rigid boom, articulated adjustable boom, fork'lift mast, or A-framemay be used as the support means for the powered, rotatable grapple ofthe invention. This support means may be attached to a stationary baseor to a vehicle. The preferred embodiment for the grapple support meansis intended for use with a vehicle, such as a skidder, and comprises anupwardly disposed boom having proximal and distal ends with relation tothe vehicle, a boom support means for movably supporting the proximalend ofthe boom on the vehicle, a boom power means for upholding the boomand controlling the position of the distal end, and an attachment meanswhich connects the powered grapple to the booms distal end whilepermitting swinging movements of the grapple in directions which aretransverse to the boom and in line therewith. The preferred grapplesupport has the advantage of enabling the grapple to have limited, i.e.,about 15, sidewise movement.

The powered, rotatable grapple comprises a generally vertical hanger rodrigidly attached to the grapple support means, a freewheeling meansrigidly attached to the hanger rod, a generally horizontal and elongatedbridge of rigid construction rigidly attached to the freewheeling means,a weight-actuated biasing means for self-alignment of the grappleattached to the freewheeling means, a pair of co-acting jawspivotablymounted on the bridge, and a grapple power means attached to the bridgeand to the jaws for selectively pivoting the co-acting jaws into agrasping relationship. The grapple has the advantage of continuallyseeking to center itself while allowing easy rotative movement which isespecially useful in making turns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thepowered, rotatable grapple and grapple support means of this inventionmounted on the rear of a skidder.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attachment means, which connects thegrapple to the distal end of the boom, and of a portion of the bridge ofthe grapple.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the attachment means, bridge, andweight-aligning means, looking in the direction of the arrows crossingthe line 3-3 in FIG. 2, with the arched squeeze plate omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the freewheeling means in explodedposition so that the weight-actuated biasing means is clearly visible.

FIG. 5 is rear elevation view of the grapple in slightly opened positionand of the closed jaws in phantom view.

in the direction of the arrows crossing the line 77 in t FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thefulcrum joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference directions for aconventional motordriven vehicle are hereinafter used in describing askidder 11 and the grapple device which comprises a grapple supportmeans and a powered, rotatable grapple 50.

As shown in FIG. 1 for the preferred embodiment, the grapple supportmeans comprises an upwardly disposed boom 20, a pressure joint 12 as theboom support means which movably supports the proximal end of boom 20, apair of hydraulic cylinders 26 and associated piston rods 28 as the boompower means for upholding boom 20 and controlling the position of thedistal end thereof, fulcrum joint 16 movably connecting the boom powermeans to boom 20, and suspension joint 13 as the attachment means at thedistal end of boom 20 for suspending powered grapple 50 therefrom whilepermitting swinging movement of the grapple in directions which aretransverse to the boom and in line therewith. Pressure joint 12, at therear end of skidder ll, is at a relatively low elevation and along theskidders center line.

Sources of hydraulic power for hydraulic cylinders 26 are conventionalhydraulic lines from a hydraulic pump and are not shown in the drawings.Hydraulic cylinders 26 are movably attached to the skidder attransversely spaced positions, above pressure joint 12, and convergetoward boom 20. Cylinders 26 are attached by means of universal joints14, 15 to opposite ends of transverse anchor beam 25. Cylinders 26, inaddition to providing power to raise and lower boom 20, also supplypower for moving boom from side-toside by actuating only one of thecylinders at a time. Sidewise movement of the grapple is determined bythe stroke of piston rod 28, which normally gives a movement ofapproximate 15 side-to-side of distal end of the boom. Conventionalmeans for supporting anchor beam are tension beams 123 and stiffeners122. Hydraulic cylinders 26, piston rods 28, and boom 25 thus form acantilevered A-frame which imparts an overturning type of moment toskidder 11, which is effectively counter-balanced by the skiddersengine, when a load is picked up. Anchor beam 25 and tension beams 123form a rigid framework which effectively resists sidewise thrusting andtwisting forces.

Fulcrum joint 16 is attached to boom 20 at a position intermediate ofthe proximal and distal ends thereof. Boom 20 is bent downwardlyapproximately at dual fulcrum joint 16 in order to obtain additionalrearward reach for boom 20 at an available stroke distance withincylinders 26. Boom 20 may be constructed in box form, with a channelbeam forming top 22 and sides 23 to which a flat plate is welded to formbottom 24.

Pressure joint 12, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a pair of plates 114rigidly attached to sides 23 of boom 20 at the proximal end thereof, athrust collar (not shown) is hingeably attached to plates 114 by pin113, thrust pin 116 rigidly and perpendicularly attached to the thrustcollar and attached to skidder 1 l. Thrust pin 116 should be generallyaligned with the resultant of the weight of the loaded grappling deviceand of the turning force about fulcrum joint l6 when boom 20 iselevated.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, suspension joint 13 is essentially auniversal joint and comprises bracket 27 attached to the end of boom 20,pin 29 fitted to holes in the sides of bracket 27, collar 3!,reinforcing strip 34, shaft 32, straps 33 rigidly attached to hanger rod36 and pin 35. Generally vertical hanger rod 36 of grapple 50 is axiallyaligned with shaft 32. Suspension joint 13 forms the attachment meanswhich non-rotatably connects powered, rotatably grapple 50 to the distalend of boom 20 while permitting swinging movements of grapple 50 indirections which are transverse to the boom and in line therewith. Ifpin 35 and straps 33 are omitted (so that hanger rod 36 and shaft 32 canbe an entity), grapple 50 is able only to move in line with the boom andis suited for use with booms having heel supports whereby logs areeffectively lifted by grasping near one end thereof. Non-rotatableattachment of the grapple to the support means is essential, however,for operation of this invention. Two dimensional movement is availableto suspension joint 13 by means of pins 2?, 35, but twisting of straps33 around the axis of shaft 32 is not possible. Nevertheless, grapple S0is able to twist freely about the axis of shaft 32 and hanger rod 36because of an internal freewheeling means.

The freewheeling means, shown in a preferred embodimentin FIGS. 2 and 4,consists of a base attached to the bottom of hanger rod 36, and a bridgesupport rotatably supported by the base. This base is essentially alateral protrusion from hanger rod 36 which permits free rotativemovement of, and furnishes balanced support to, the bridge support. Theremaining parts of grapple 50 are rigidly attached to and supported bythe bridge support.

The grapple 50 comprises hanger rod 36 rigidly attached at its top tostraps 33 and thus to the grapple support means, the two-partfreewheeling means, a generally horizontal and elongated bridge 60rigidly attached to and supported by the bridge support, aweight-actuated biasing means as part of the freewheelingmeans, a pairof co-acting jaws 51, 52 pivotably mounted on bridge 60, and a grapplepower means attached to bridge 60 to jaws 51, 52.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4 the weight-actuated biasing means ispreferably a combination of co-acting cam and cam follower which areattached to and interposed between the base and the bridge support sothat a rotative return force is created by the grapple itself upon theinclined faces of the cam. This rotative return force seeks to re-alignthe grapple after it has been rotatively displaced by relative rotationof the parts of the freewheeling means. When the grapple is empty,however, the rotative return force is relatively slight, and impact ofjaws 51, 52 upon an obliquely aligned object can easily cause the emptygrapple to freewheel in either rotative direction. The rotative returnforce nearly vanishes, moreover, when the grapple is momentarilysupported by the obliquely aligned object. When the grapple is loadedand hanging freely, however, the rotative return force becomesconsiderably greater.

The cam may be attached to the base, and the cam follower may beattached to the bridge support, or vice versa, providing that they arein co-acting relationship. Many types of cams and cam followers aresuitable for this purpose. For example, the top of the base could be aflat surface upon which a pair of elliptical wheels travel, these wheelsbeing rotatably attached to the bottom of sleeve 76. Alternatively, thebase could be reduced to rigid, protruding attachments for a pair ofupwardly inclined levers, each lever having a terminal roller whichmoves within a scroll cam or covered crown cam in the lower part of acylindrical bridge support thereabove.

The preferred embodiment for the weight-actuated biasing means howeveris a crown cam and a co-acting inverted crown cam follower. As shown inFIG. 4, this device is manufactured from a single cylinder by makinginclined cuts therein, transversely to the cylinder axis, along a lineof separation 75, forming two mating, generally vertical cylinders instacked relationship and having a common axis which coincides with theaxis of hanger rod 36, thereby combining the freewheeling means and thebiasing means with a minimum of manufacturing difficulty. The crown camis formed along the upper end of the lower base cylinder 73, and thecoacting inverted crown cam, which functions as a cam follower having acontour which complements the contour of the crown cam, is formed alongthe lower end of the upper bridge supporting cylinder 72. Any relativerotation of these cylinders 72, 73 causes vertical separation thereofand consequent lifting of the entire grapple. This lifting energycreates the rotative return force needed for self alignment of thegrapple. Rotation of bridge 60 is preferably restricted to less than 180by stops 65 which are attached to the upper surface of top plate 61 sothat they strike straps 33 after the bridge rotates about 45.

Generally horizontal bridge 60 described most clearly in FIGS. 2, 3 and5 comprises top plate 61, side plates 62, stiffeners 68, arched squeezeplate 63, inner sleeve 76, and leverage arms 66. Side plates 62 arerigidly attached to inner sleeve 76 and to bridge supporting cylinder72. Inner sleeve 76 rotatably encompasses hanger rod 36. Centralopenings in side plates 62 allow cylinders 72, 73 of the combinedfreewheeling means and biasing means to be of maximum size. Leveragearms 66, attached and aligned parallel to opposed side plates 62, areoffset and project longitudinally from bridge 60 just beneath top plate61. Leverage pin 41 attaches bracket 46 on each hydraulic cylinder 43 toeach leverage arm 66.

The grapple power means comprises a source of hydraulic power, a pair ofhydraulic cylinders 43, and associated pistion rods 45. The source ofhydraulic power, including a conventional tank, pump, and hydraulicsupply lines, is not shown in the drawings but supplies hydraulic powerto each hydraulic cylinder 43 and each hydraulic cylinder 26. Eachpiston rod 45 is attached to ajaw 51, 52 by a pin 47.

Jaw pins 55 transversely penetrate reinforcing tabs 64 and side plates62 near the lower corners thereof.

Jaws 51, 52, having adjacent bosses 42, 44 are equal so that eachoccupies one-half of the space between inner surfaces of side plates 62.Jaws, 51, 52 are adjacent to the inner surfaces of opposite side walls62 so that each jaw is vertically aligned with the leverage arm 66 whichis directly above, as shown in FIG. 2. Jaws 51, 52, being offset, slidepast each other along a sliding plane between the jaws as the jaws closepast the point of convergence of downwardly extending tips 53, 54 intothe position shown in phantom in FIG. 5. Jaws 51, 52 have sharpenedinner edges 56, 57, as shown in FIG. 6, which are immediately adjacentso that a couple with minimum moment arm is created when pressure isexerted against opposite sides of a log or bundle of elongated objects.The sharp edges 56, 57 hold a log securely against rearward draggingforces.

Each jaw tip 53, 54 of jaws 51, 52 is tapered away from the respectiveinner side, along the sliding plane between the jaws, as shown in FIG.7, to form a point along the respective outer side, whereby theco-acting jaws 51, 52 are biased away from sliding contact when movingthrough soft, yielding material, such as earth.

The arched squeeze plate 63 is attached to and strengthens side plates62 as shown in FIG. 5. When jaws 51,52 are fully closed, they form asector having squeeze plate 63 as the arc thereof. If side plates 62 arelengthened, as is preferred, the distance between jaw pins 55 becomesequal to the distance along each of the sharpened edges 56, 57 from jawpins 55 to the point of crossing of edges 56, 57, thereby forming asubstantially equilateral triangle as the jaws are completely closed,whereby compression forces within a bundle of logs are transmitteduniformly and multi-laterally against all sides of a plurality ofelongated objects which are grasped within the sector. Small logs areretained, in consequence, even though out of contact with edges 56, 57.

An alternative form of fulcrum joint 16 is shown in FIG. 8 which showsthe joint as functionally a point connection with boom 20, as can beapproximated with yokes 102, pivoting on a single pin 101 which istransversely attached to the upper surface of boom 20, slightlyrearwardly to the bend therein.

When a load of logs or freshly felled trees are being dragged by askidder with the grappling device of this invention, the combinedactions of the freewheeling and biasing means permit turns to be made,because turning pressure is sufficient to overcome the rotative returnforce, but inhibit oscillatory and random rotative movements. When thegrappling device of this invention is empty, the combined actions of thefreewheeling and biasing means minimize random rotative movements of thegrapple biasing it toward a selected center position, generallytransverse to the direction of travel of skidder, and maintainingalignment of the jaws while grasping a load.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that a simple butefficient grappling device has been provided for grasping one or aplurality of elongated objects. This grappling device can be attached toan elongated loading boom whereby lifting leverage can be exerted, inconjunction with a heel plate on the boom, for lifting entire logs,pipes or other elongated objects. If, as described hereinbefore, theattachment means is a suspension joint having the multiple-flexing butnonrotatory characteristics of a universal joint, the grappling deviceis not adapted for exertion of leverage but is well suited for draggingelongated objects or extended lifting and transporting of a bundle ofshort objects.

It is consequently to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the embodiments as described and illustrated herein but is tobe defined as to scope according to the claims which are hereinafter setforth.

lclaim:

1. A grappling device comprising: a grapple support having vertical andsidewise movements and a grapple rigidly attached to said grapplesupport, said grapple comprising;

a. a generally vertical hanger rod having an upper end rigidly attachedto said grapple support and a lower end suspended therefrom,

b. a two-part freewheeling rotating means having'a first part rigidlyattached to said hanger rod lower end,

c. a bridge support rigidly attached to the second part of saidfreewheeling means said bridge having a pair of outwardly extendingbridge arms from said second freewheeling means whereby said bridgesupport may rotate about said vertical hanger rod,

d. said first and second part of said freewheeling means havingadjacently disposed camming surfaces so-formed as to causeself-alignment of said grapple when unloaded such that the grapple isreturned to its original position relative to said grapple supportwhenever it is disposed from such position,

e. a pair of co-acting jaws which are pivotably mounted respectively onopposite ends of said bridge arms, and

f. grapple power means pivotably attached to said bridge arms and tosaid grapple jaws for selectively opening and closing said jaws.

2. The grapple according to claim 1 wherein said freewheeling meansfirst part has a crown cam formed integral with and surrounding saidhanger rod lower end andsaid second part has an inverted crown camco-acting with the positioned above said first part and mounted torotate about said hanger rod, said freewheeling parts having cammingsurfaces being shaped such that when said second cam tends to movetowards a selected central position whenever disposed off such centralposition.

3. The grapple according to claim 1 wherein said coacting jaws havesharpened inner edges along the sliding plane between said jaws, wherebya couple with a minimum moment arm is created when pressure is exertedagainst opposite sides of said elongated objects.

4. The co-acting jaws of claim 1 wherein the downward end of each jawforms a tip, said tip being tapered from the respective inner side,along the sliding plane between the jaws, to form a point along therespective outer side, whereby the co-acting jaws are biased away fromsliding contact when moving through a yieldable material.

5. The grapple according to claim 1 wherein the distance between saidpivotable mounts forsaid co-acting jaws is approximately equal to thedistance along each of said sharpened inner edges from the pivotablemount of the respective co-acting jaw to the point of crossing closed,

of said inner edges when said jaws are fully whereby approximately a 60sector, having downwardly concave squeeze plate as the arc thereof, isformed at said point of crossing so that generally uniform pressures areexerted against all sides of a plurality of elongated object which aregrasped within said sector.

The grapple support according to claim 1 wherein said grapple support isattached to a vehicle.

ing;

The grapple support according to claim 6 comprisan upwardly disposedboom having proximal and distal ends withrelation to said vehicle,

a boom support means attached to said vehicle, for movably supportingthe proximal end of said boom,

. a boom power means attached to said vehicle and to said bottom, forupholding said boom and for providing side-to-side and vertical movementof said distal end, and

. means for connecting said grapple to said distal end while permittingmovement of said grapple.

. A log handling vehicle comprising; a grapple support having one endmounted to swing on said vehicle and the opposite end free to move tovarious work positions,

. power means mounted on said vehicle and connected to said grapplesupport providing vertical and sidewise movement of said grapple supportfor positioning in said work positions,

. a vertical hanger rod having its upper end mounted on said grapplesupport working end and its lower end suspended therefrom,

. a first cam formed integral with and surrounding said hanger rod lowerend and having a first camming surface on the upper portion,

. a second cam positioned above said first cam and f. a bridge supporthaving opposite aligned horizontal arms extending outwardly from andformed integral with said second cam such that said bridge support andsecond cam rotate about said hanger rod,

. a pair of co-acting grapple jaws pivotedly mounted respectively onopposite ends of said bridge arms; and

. grapple power means pivotedly attached to said bridge arms and to saidrespective grapple jaw for the opening and closing thereof, said grapplejaws when loaded being effective to transfer the force of said loadthrough said bridge support to said second cam and thereby cause saidsecond cam to rotate towards said central position. I

1. A grappling device comprising: a grapple support having vertical andsidewise movements and a grapple rigidly attached to said grapplesupport, said grapple comprising; a. a generally vertical hanger rodhaving an upper end rigidly attached to said grapple support and a lowerend suspended therefrom, b. a two-part freewheeling rotating meanshaving a first part rigidly attached to said hanger rod lower end, c. abridge support rigidly attached to the second part of said freewheelingmeans said bridge having a pair of outwardly extending bridge arms fromsaid second freewheeling means whereby said bridge support may rotateabout said vertical hanger rod, d. said first and second part of saidfreewheeling means having adjacently disposed camming surfaces so-formedas to cause self-alignment of said grapple when unloaded such that thegrapple is returned to its original position relative to said grapplesupport whenever it is disposed from such position, e. a pair ofco-acting jaws which are pivotably mounted respectively on opposite endsof said bridge arms, and f. grapple power means pivotably attached tosaid bridge arms and to said grapple jaws for selectively opening andclosing said jaws.
 2. The grapple according to claim 1 wherein saidfreewheeling means first part has a crown cam formed integral with andsurrounding said hanger rod lower end and said second part has aninverted crown cam co-acting with the positioned above said first partand mounted to rotate about said hanger rod, said freewheeling partshaving camming surfaces being shaped such that when said second camtends to move towards a selected central position whenever disposed offsuch central position.
 3. The grapple according to claim 1 wherein saidco-acting jaws have sharpened inner edges along the sliding planebetween said jaws, whereby a couple with a minimum moment arm is createdwhen pressure is exerted against opposite sides of said elongatedobjects.
 4. The co-acting jaws of claim 1 wherein the downward end ofeach jaw forms a tip, said tip being tapered from the respective innerside, along the sliding plane between the jaws, to form a point alongthe respective outer side, whereby the co-acting jaws are biased awayfrom sliding contact when moving through a yieldaBle material.
 5. Thegrapple according to claim 1 wherein the distance between said pivotablemounts for said co-acting jaws is approximately equal to the distancealong each of said sharpened inner edges from the pivotable mount of therespective co-acting jaw to the point of crossing of said inner edgeswhen said jaws are fully closed, whereby approximately a 60* sector,having downwardly concave squeeze plate as the arc thereof, is formed atsaid point of crossing so that generally uniform pressures are exertedagainst all sides of a plurality of elongated object which are graspedwithin said sector.
 6. The grapple support according to claim 1 whereinsaid grapple support is attached to a vehicle.
 7. The grapple supportaccording to claim 6 comprising; a. an upwardly disposed boom havingproximal and distal ends with relation to said vehicle, b. a boomsupport means attached to said vehicle, for movably supporting theproximal end of said boom, c. a boom power means attached to saidvehicle and to said bottom, for upholding said boom and for providingside-to-side and vertical movement of said distal end, and d. means forconnecting said grapple to said distal end while permitting movement ofsaid grapple.
 8. A log handling vehicle comprising; a. a grapple supporthaving one end mounted to swing on said vehicle and the opposite endfree to move to various work positions, b. power means mounted on saidvehicle and connected to said grapple support providing vertical andsidewise movement of said grapple support for positioning in said workpositions, c. a vertical hanger rod having its upper end mounted on saidgrapple support working end and its lower end suspended therefrom, d. afirst cam formed integral with and surrounding said hanger rod lower endand having a first camming surface on the upper portion, e. a second campositioned above said first cam and mounted to rotate around said hangerrod and having a second camming surface on its lower portion disposedopposite said first camming surface, said first and second cammingsurfaces being shaped such that when said second is forced downwardlytoward said first cam said second cam tends to rotate towards a selectedcentral position whenever disposed off such central position, f. abridge support having opposite aligned horizontal arms extendingoutwardly from and formed integral with said second cam such that saidbridge support and second cam rotate about said hanger rod, g. a pair ofco-acting grapple jaws pivotedly mounted respectively on opposite endsof said bridge arms; and h. grapple power means pivotedly attached tosaid bridge arms and to said respective grapple jaw for the opening andclosing thereof, said grapple jaws when loaded being effective totransfer the force of said load through said bridge support to saidsecond cam and thereby cause said second cam to rotate towards saidcentral position.